The Possibility of Somewhere is a quick read, with a fairly predictable plot straight out of a teen movie. It started off actually being interesting, but tapered off quickly into something that was a bit stereotypical and certainly easy to guess at what happened next. I'm still a little confused as to how I feel about specific plot points, but overall, I wasn't all too impressed.

Unfortunately this book has gone in my DNF pile. It just wasn't engaging me like it would have years ago when I first requested it. My reading tastes have changed a lot over the years as I've gotten older and unfortunately some of the books requested years ago have been affected by my reading tastes and the fact that a lot of books for younger audiences haven't been grasping my attention as of late. I thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

this book was a strange mixture for me where i loved some aspects -for example the autistic boy, who i found got too few moments throughout this book- and some aspects i really found unnecessary for example racist slurs that i was never sure if they where actually meant to be as they wehre sad, provocation or just ignorance.

All in all a nice read but it could have been better in some aspects.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Ash Gupta has a life full of possibility. His senior year is going exactly as he’s always wanted-- he's admired by his peers, enjoying his classes and getting the kind of grades that his wealthy, immigrant parents expect. There's only one obstacle in Ash's path: Eden Moore—the senior most likely to become class valedictorian. How could this unpopular, sharp-tongued girl from the wrong side of the tracks stand in his way?
All Eden's ever wanted was a way out. Her perfect GPA should be enough to guarantee her a free ride to college -- and an exit from her trailer-park existence for good. The last thing she needs is a bitter rivalry with Ash, who wants a prized scholarship for his own selfish reasons. Or so she thinks. . .When Eden ends up working with Ash on a class project, she discovers that the two have more in common than either of them could have imagined. They’re both in pursuit of a dream -- one that feels within reach thanks to their new connection. But what does the future hold for two passionate souls from totally different worlds?

This was a pretty decent contemporary YA romance novel. It had the usual suspects: one well educated, high marks, well-respected student - the other a brash, selfish, tell-it-like-it-is student. Both come in competition with each other for a prized scholarship. And that's where the enemies-to-friends comes in. And it is cool, and well written and I enjoyed that aspect of the story.

However, what I did find disappointing is that Ash, the well educated and respected student, is also an Indian immigrant. Yet the story is told pretty much from Eden's POV - a white, Christian girl. I think the opportunity to let Ash have a voice should have been to hard to pass up. That would have added so much depth to the story and really added that sense of diversity that is lacking in a lot of YA novels.

Overall, a good book that could have been far better with another POV put in...


Paul
ARH

Review on my old blog: http://botanical-studies.tumblr.com/post/149860660464/the-possibility-of-somewhere-by-julia-day

THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEWHERE deals with important topics such as racism, the expectations of society and rising above them, walking a path that you forged out for yourself. It's a thought-provoking read that stayed with me long after I reached the last page.

I've described a lot of heroines as strong before, but Eden has to be the best fit for that adjective. She's poor, lives in a trailer, has the worst things thought about her by her classmates, but she's determined to rise above all that, no matter what she has to do in the process. I don't know if I could be that strong in her situation, and I admire her a lot. She's smart though, and her ticket out is winning the scholarship that would enable her to go to college.

On the other hand, Ash pales in comparison. Sure, he's got a lot of problems too, lots of cultural baggage to carry (he's Indian). But I felt he didn't man up enough to fight for what he and Eden have. Maybe because he was still young, maybe because he didn't have good friends to give him the support he needs, but I felt that when his parents wanted to meet with Eden, and he was telling her this was their chance to win over his parents, he should've prepared her better, coached her on what to say and wear to better their chances. Instead, he "disappeared", didn't so much as talk to her and then he expected her to do things right. He also didn't man up until Eden made the first move. Such a disappointment.

Another thing that i wished the author had shown us was how Ash's parents came to change their minds about Eden, especially after the weird meeting with them when they appeared to have already made up their minds about Eden even before meeting up with her. Even one scene would have been good.

One of the best things about this book is Eden's friendship with Mundy, a new transferee to her school. Mundy is one of the best secondary characters I've read--outgoing, gregarious and totally unpredictable, totally outstanding. The things she said! Even I find myself with my mouth dropping open sometimes. She just couldn't be real (meaning, there's no way such a person could exist in real life), but in any case, she's just what Eden needs.

Another great relationship is with her stepmom, whom she called Marnee. Theirs is more of like real mom and daughter, and I like that Marnee is not the stereotypical evil stepmother.

This book is not a light, fluffy romance, and the author presented the issues in a straightforward, matter-of-fact manner without sermon or proselytizing. Must read! Highly recommended.